2016-17 Football Previews – (ACC) – Demon Deacons
Looking for 2016 Wake Forest Demon Deacons predictions? Wake Forest faces a perpetual challenge by being not only a private institution, but one with the smallest enrolment in the Atlantic Coast Conference (4,872 students). Head coach Dave Clawson, formerly of the overachieving Bowling Green Falcons, has a tricky assignment, as evidenced by consecutive 3-9 seasons in his first two years on the job.
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2016-17 College Football Preview – Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Head Coach: Dave Clawson
2015 Record: 3-9
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Odds to win 2017 FBS Championship: +50000
Win Total: 6.5 (Over -110 / Under -110)
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Yet, Clawson’s 2016 team is the most talented outfit he’s had yet.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Predictions: Team Strengths
The Deacons have a great TE in junior Cam Serigne, who profiles as an H-back type as a professional. He grabbed 46 passes and four TDs last year, with the returning QB duo of John Wolford and Kendall Hinton delivering the ball once again.
Wolford is the more accomplished passer, with nearly 1,800 yards in ’15, and Hinton as the more present scrambling threat.
The offense will be helped along with four returning starters along the offensive line, including veteran leadership with OG Tyler Hayworth and C Josh Harris.
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Wake Forest returns all its starting defensive lineman from last season, so they should continue trending in the right direction. In the secondary, safety Ryan Janvion is a productive player.
Also, keep an eye on freshman K/P Dom Maggio, who was a highly-touted special teams guy out of high school.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Predictions: Team Weaknesses
As I suggested earlier, Wake’s low enrolment, tough entrance requirements and uninspiring location (Winston-Salem…meh) does not make Wake Forest a sexy ACC school to attend.
This is a conference that offers selections like Florida State, Miami and Clemson. When your most exciting alumnus is Tim Duncan – on the hardwood – say no more. Thus, the Demon Deacons have to pick off the scrap heap, talent-wise.
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Clawson will have another uphill climb this year. Notably, the Deacons lose two of their returning starters at LB, including last year’s top tackler, Brandon Chubb.
They are also breaking in a new position coach, with LB coach Clark Lea (he previously held the same job at Syracuse).
The run game was largely ineffective last year, so Wake Forest need a lot more from sophomore Tyler Bell (451 yards, one TD, just 3.5 per carry in 2015). Hinton presents a unique rush threat under center, if he’s utilized properly.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2016 Prediction: 5-7
The Demon Deacons are slightly better this year than last, and importantly, the 2016 schedule is kind. Wake Forest has seven home games on the slate; six of them come against teams that had a losing record a year ago.
The past couple of years, Clawson has been guiding an inexperienced ballclub, but Wake no longer has that excuse this time.
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Wake Forest should be at least a couple of wins better, but the Deacons should still be near the basement in the Atlantic division of the ACC.
2016 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Football Schedule
- 09/01/2016 vs. Tulane 7:00 pm
- 09/10/2016 at Duke 3:30 pm
- 09/17/2016 vs. Delaware 6:30 pm
- 09/24/2016 at Indiana TBA
- 10/01/2016 at NC State TBA
- 10/08/2016 vs. Syracuse TBA
- 10/15/2016 at Florida St. TBA
- 10/22/2016 BYE
- 10/29/2016 vs. Army TBA
- 11/05/2016 vs. Virginia TBA
- 11/12/2016 at Louisville TBA
- 11/19/2016 vs. Clemson TBA
- 11/26/2016 vs. Boston College TBA
What do you think about our 2016 Wake Forest Demon Deacons predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2016!
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